Concordia Damen is working with Amasus, Deugro Danmark, Siemens Gamesa, and DEKC Maritime in the development and construction of two new and advanced offshore wind RoRo vessels: Rotra Futura and Rotra Horizon. The first was launched on 24 November at Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard.
The vessels are specifically designed for the transport of large, and ever growing, wind turbine components. The Rotra Future is expected to be delivered to Amasus in 2025. Watch a video of the launch below.
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Five companies in partnership
The development of the Rotra Futura and Rotra Horizon is the result of a partnership. At the basis there is the wish – and a concrete charter agreement – of Siemens Gamesa, Deugro Danmark and Amasus to stay ahead in the market with a new Rotra concept that aims to become a vital link in the logistics chain of the growing wind energy industry.
With the design, engineering, project management and shipbuilding capabilities of DEKC Maritime and Concordia Damen added, the five companies worked hard to create a new, cost- and energy-efficient vessel type.
Together, the five partners have accurately mapped the requirements and challenges of the offshore wind industry and created a future-proof and sustainable design that meets the highest standards for safety, efficiency, and flexibility.
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Ready for heavier wind turbine components
The design of the Rotra Futura and Rotra Horizon builds on the previous vessels in the Rotra concept, the Rotra Mare and Rotra Vente, which were also developed by Concordia Damen, and have been successfully operating since 2016.
The new vessels are equipped for the latest generation of wind turbine components, which are becoming larger and heavier. Thanks to the unique RoRo system (roll-on/roll-off) and an innovative ramp, these vessels can safely and efficiently transport larger loads. Additionally, the three Liebherr cranes and the special ramp system enable turbine blades to be stowed in three tiers, providing greater flexibility in loading methods and cargo configurations.
With dimensions of 167.6 x 26 metres, and the wheelhouse and accommodation strategically located at the front of the ship, the new Rotra design maximises cargo capacity while ensuring optimal loading without obstructing visibility. These vessels are specifically designed to meet the increasing demand for larger and more powerful offshore wind turbines.
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Optimised hull, advanced engine, hybrid propulsion
‘For the Rotra Futura and Rotra Horizon, we, along with our partners, have focused extensively on energy savings and an environmentally friendly design,’ says managing director Chris Kornet. ‘The aerodynamic and hydro-optimised hull design, combined with a special low-resistance coating, contributes to lower fuel consumption. Furthermore, the vessels are equipped with an advanced Wärtsilä main engine, which consumes fifteen per cent less fuel and has a smaller CO2 emission footprint than current standards.’
With these innovations, the five companies ensure that the new Rotra vessels meet today’s and tomorrow’s sustainability standards. In addition, the vessels feature a hybrid propulsion system that complies with the highest IMO Tier 3 standards. An efficient waste heat recovery system further enhances energy savings, contributing to the sustainability of logistics within the offshore wind industry.
According to Concordia Damen, the Rotra Futura and Rotra Horizon represent a significant step in making logistics solutions more sustainable and support the development of large-scale wind energy projects.
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